NEWS

Class of 2016 enters the Mount

August 27, 2012

Newburgh, NY -

(Left) Psychology major Evans Alexandre from Queens, NY said he
was excited to be moving into Mount Saint Mary College’s spacious
Sakac Hall. (Right) Fayola Cyprien (center), a nursing student from
Baldwin on Long Island, moved into Mount Saint Mary College’s Sakac
Hall on Saturday morning. Her mother Lorie, father Johnny, and
brothers Joshua and Omar lent her a hand. At the Mount, 40 percent
of freshmen aim for health professions.

Class of 2016 enters the Mount

With a Hudson River summer breeze to help them on their way,
Mount Saint Mary College’s new freshmen began their higher
education journey on Saturday, August 25.

Most of the new students hail from the tri-state area.

As classes begin on Monday, August 27, the college is
anticipating another strong year. More than 40 percent of incoming
freshmen are aiming for careers in health professions. The Mount
offers the only nationally accredited four year nursing degree
program in the mid Hudson Valley, and boasts a NCLEX-RN passage
rate that far exceeds the state average.

Another 16 percent of freshmen are interested in education.
Mount Saint Mary College’s nationally accredited teacher education
program is distinctive, with fieldwork embedded in coursework
starting in sophomore year. The program earns high marks in
preparing well qualified graduates for New York State licensure in
careers as teacher and administrators.

The Mount also offers comprehensive areas of study in business
and accounting, psychology, English, math, sociology, history, and
more. Even busy college president college president Fr. Kevin E.
Mackin, OFM, teaches a course, on the history of Christianity.

The college’s Center for Student Success, which recently added
another academic coach, prepares students to make the most of their
college experience.

In addition to offering nursing clinical and student teaching
experiences, excellent internships open doors for Mount students in
all fields. The Career Center prepares students for varied career
opportunities in the Hudson Valley, New York City, the Capital
Region and beyond.

New fields and courses

Mount Saint Mary College’s collaborative new interdisciplinary
major, technology and digital media, combines courses in math,
technology and communications. Co-directed by professors Dean
Goldberg of arts and letters, and Maureen Markel of mathematics and
information technology, the program provides skills to succeed in
careers such as web content, corporate communications, healthcare,
engineering and higher education.

A new pre-physician’s assistant concentration, with courses by
Suparna Bhalla and William Lahar, puts students on the path to
obtain a PA license, which allows professionals to perform medical
or surgical duties delegated to them by a physician.

The college is also introducing three new individual courses.
John Hofbauer will explore the philosophy of science and nature. A
special topics course, Web 2.0 for teachers, will be taught by
Bojan K. Lazarevic. Another new special topic is introduction to
sports management, presented in the business division by instructor
James McGuire.

(Left) Biology major Hanna Sheppard settles into her room in
Mount Saint Mary College’s Sakac Hall with a bit of help from her
mother. Sheppard hails from Brookhaven, NY. (Right) Mount Saint
Mary College freshman Justin Perez, an accounting major from
Washingtonville, moved in Saturday with a little help from his
mother.

Life on campus

Mount Saint Mary College provides a 24/7 residence staff with
caring, expert personnel: ready to meet the needs of students at
any time.

Students enjoy developing their leadership in an array of clubs
and originations that focus on academic enrichments, recreational
activities and other special interests, as well as exciting,
frequent events.

Making the most of the latest generation wireless service and a
great living/learning environment, students can use the college’s
research databases day and night, and also receive instant
notification when their laundry is done or when a machine is
available.

In addition to a newly equipped cardiovascular and weight room
in the Kaplan Recreation Center, the modern residence halls are
home to exercise rooms and movie lounges.

The campus also sports a high-tech turf athletic field, six
tennis courts and an indoor pool with a view of the Hudson
River.

In addition to a new psychology lab, the Mount’s Kaplan Family
Mathematics, Science and Technology Center features advanced
laboratories for nursing and pre-med studies. Students who
participate in the honors program gain expanded lab time.

The 13.1 acre Dominican Center will be remodeled during this
academic year through 2013 to house a state-of-the-art
living/learning commons: The center will house both a residence
hall and the Curtin Memorial Library, an innovation that immerses
students in their studies and makes academics a way of life.

Daily and Sunday mass is offered and campus ministry provides
opportunities for students to serve as lectors, altar servers and
musicians, as well as engaging in the larger community.

For students who crave overseas experience, the college offers
many summer or semester long opportunities. In 2012, 61 Mount
students studied abroad in Italy, England, New Zealand, the
Dominican Republic, and other semester-long or summer programs.

New hires for a new semester

To support all of Mount Saint Mary’s innovative programs,
several new faculty will be sharing their skills with students this
semester.

Jane Gangi is a new associate professor of education; Barry
Jones joins mathematics and information technology as associate
professor of information technology; Patricia McQuade joins the
Mount as instructor of nursing; Robert Miller joins philosophy and
religious studies as assistant professor of religious studies;
Stephanie Pietros is an assistant professor of English and Andrew
Weiss is chair and professor of business.

The Mount hosts various lectures and concerts, such as
performances of the Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra, which
begins its 18th season on Saturday, September 22 at 7:30 pm in the
1,100-seat Aquinas Hall Theatre. Showcased are Stravinsky's
“Berceuse” and “Finale" from his ballet The Firebird,
Rimsky-Korsakov’s Sheherazade, and a world premiere of Three
Dialogues for Saxophone and Orchestra, performed by its
award-winning composer Demetrius Spaneas.

Also this fall, the college will sponsor a free public talk by
Fr. Robert Christian, OP, on September 27 at 7 pm, titled “The
Church of the Second Vatican Council: A Work Complete, Yet Always
in Progress.” This presentation by the college’s Catholic and
Dominican Institute marks the 50th anniversary of “Vatican II,”
which significantly articulated the protocol of the Roman Catholic
Church and its relationship with the modern world.

An adult and continuing education information session including
information on tracks in accounting, business management and
administration, childhood education, human services, nursing and
psychology will be held August 30 from 5 to 7 pm.

As the foliage turns vibrant shades of red, yellow and orange,
an open house for prospective freshmen and their families will be
held Sunday, September 23. Participants will take an up-close look
at classrooms, dining commons and residence halls, and the new
all-weather turf athletic field, as well as speaking with current
Mount students and staff.

Neighbors enjoy bringing their pets to be blessed by Fr. Kevin
E. Mackin, OFM, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi: this year, on
Sunday, September 30 at noon during Alumni and Family Weekend.

All in all, says Fr. Mackin, “Mount Saint Mary College’s many
programs and activities prepare students to use their skills of
mind and habits of heart in the wider world.”